Unlike Meditation, Magic Manipulation took significantly longer to level up, but they still managed to raise it to lvl 30 by evening.
|
General Title: Magic Manipulation(lvl 30) The ability to sense, convince, and control magical energy to follow your whims. It is the foundation of every slightly magical creature and profession. Effects:
|
Instead of being a pure Magic skill, it was, instead, a compound skill that involved three stats, including Perception, Charisma, and, of course, Magic. And this made the trio greatly satisfied.
"Seems like we know what skill to grind now," Asher said.
"Yeah! And it also raises Meditation, so it's two birds with one stone." Sonia happily added.
"Actually, we can replace our sleep with meditation, and focus on other things during the day. That would maximise our gains." Nidawei smiled.
At that thought, the trio grinned.
"Well, let's cook something quick and start our gambling session," Asher said.
"What will we gamble on tonight?" Sonia asked.
"Hm... how about, if I win, you get rammed in the A, and if you win, I get rammed in the A. And if honey wins, we both get rammed in the A while sandwitched and making out?" Nidawei suggested.
"You just want to take it up the ass, don't you, you anal whore?" Sonia smirked.
"As much as you do, you anal slut." Nidawei narrowed her eyes back.
"Fucking A." Asher naturally didn't have anything to complain about.
.
.
.
And so, the life of training, mixed with a healthy dose of decadence, continued for the trio.
Every day, they head to the library and read books. Once the library was closed, they returned home and cooked food or cleaned the house, and then had a gambling session, followed by some kinky play. And after they were satisfied, they meditated to restore their energy while training in manipulating magic.
This continued until, finally, after two weeks, they ran out of books to read.
.
.
.
Asher briefly reviewed his gains over the past two weeks.
(Read at your own risk...)
|
You gained the following titles: General Title: Grandmaster Booky |
While the gains were undoubtedly nice, the reading avenue was officially blocked because they had no more books to read. Although they could re-read the books in the library, it was a waste of their time.
And so, the trio decided it was time to train in magic in their yard.
"According to the books, to use magic, spells require a combination of verbal incantations, gestures, mental symbols, drawing symbols, and potentially offering certain materials. Of course, we need to have sufficient magic and control for higher-end spells." Sonia said.
"However, there are also skills that can reduce or even eliminate the requirements. But it would reduce the effectiveness of the spells and increase their cost." Nidawei pointed out.
"Of course, we will also grind those skills. They are good methods to increase Comprehension and Charisma." Asher smiled.
In this world, Charisma represented the raw power of personality, your force of will. It both helped you force your will on another and resist their force of will. Of course, the forcing part can be subtle, such as persuasion or haggling, or it can be more direct, like intimidation and coercion. Magic in this world functioned the same way, and a magician needed to convince and channel the magic to follow their will, one way or another. Meanwhile, the raw Magic a user wielded was just their reserves and potency. After all, no matter how convincing you are, if you can't perform, what's the use?
"Well, let's start vanilla. We need to start from somewhere." Asher said.
The other two nodded, and Asher extended his hand and chanted one of the basic spells the books provided.
"O spirits of water, hear my will and coalace your nectar. Create Water."
After he said that, a small ball of water formed in front of him, dropping to the ground, and he received a message.
|
You gained the Class Title: Initiate Water Magician You gained the Class Skill: Water Magic(lvl 1) |
"Heh. Easy enough." Asher grinned.
"Cool! Let me try!" Sonia grinned and copied him.
Moments later, she produced water that flowed on the ground.
"Nice! It increases Magic and Water Affinity." Sonia happily said.
"I'm next." Nidawei smiled and tried the same. Moments later, she also produced water. "Done."
"Let's try skipping chanting next," Asher said.
"But first, let's bring a tub over. The water would ruin the plants." Sonia said, pointing at the plants below.
After bringing a tub, the trio started diligently practicing until they filled it. During that time, they also learned how to shorten chants or refrain from chanting and perform reduced or no gestures, or even speedcast things. Whenever they felt their magic was getting exhausted, they would meditate and then continue.
When their basic magics leveled their Water Magic more slowly due to their low level, they switched to other types of magic, including Fire, Air, Earth, and Lightning.
And so, after a few days-
|
Due to meeting the requirements, your Racial Skills have been fully unsealed. Racial Skills: Gene-Forged Perfection(Max), Extreme Comprehension(Max), Ancient Lifespan(Max), Super Immune System(Max), Full-Body Regenration(Max), Reality Warping Affinity(Max), Limited Reality Warping Immunity(Max), Reality Energy Absorption(Max), Reality Perception(Max), Rule Bending(Max), Pseudo Imagination Manifistation(Max), Tempered Soul(Max), Enhanced Soul(Max) |
Once they achieved this, the trio was almost in tears. After nearly four months, their powers returned.
"Finally! Our powers are back!" Sonia exclaimed, feeling relieved.
"It feels so good to have them again." Nidawei sighed in relief.
"With this, we can finally feel safer again." Asher also felt emotional.
"Additionally, since we increased all our basic stats to over 200, the level of our Unique Skills also increased to lvl 20. I can now use my powers for much longer." Nidawei said.
"Yes. I can finally store over a hundred thousand tons." Asher grinned.
"I can't feel it, though..." Sonia warily said, being the only one with a passive ability.
"Don't worry, Sonia. You will have your time to shine." Nidawei encouragingly said.
"Mmm." Sonia nodded, feeling better.
"By the way, should we start THAT plan?" Asher suddenly asked.
The two women's eyes turned sharp.
"You mean, spamming clones and making them do menial tasks for us, thus grinding skills or hunting monsters for achievements?" Sonia asked.
"And in the meantime, we sit back and do whatever we feel like?" Nidawei asked.
"Yes, that plan." Asher solemnly nodded.
Slowly, the trio's expressions turned crooked.
"Let's do it!"
Immediately, they used their Imagination Manifestation to create an identical clone of each. Each clone was as strong as they were and possessed all their skills.
These clones were not independent, however. They shared the same mind and senses, but at the same time, each clone had a new set of hardware, enabling them to double their computing power. These clones could also only exist for a limited time, depending on the amount of energy granted to them, and cannot regenerate themselves. Additionally, they were unable to utilize their unique powers.
In a way, these were not clones, but rather detached and temporary limbs and organs given manifest by their minds and imagination.
As for their limit, they could maintain up to 9 clones at a time, each lasting for months, if they only use physical strength. Any more would start hurting their brain. They also had a limit.
However, after creating the clones, the trio's eyes lit up.
"I think I can create 11, or maybe 12 clones at once!" Sonia exclaimed.
"It must be related to Comprehension. Every 100 points allows us to maintain another fully-connected clone." Nidawei figured.
"Nice. Now, let's see if grinding with clones can work." Asher had a broad smile.
The trio then made the clones cook them dinner. As a result-
|
Class Skill: Cooking(lvl 78 -> 79) |
Asher, Sonia, and Nidawei looked at one another with twisted grins.
"Hehehe... Finally, we can start the Shut-In Clone Grinding plan!"
.
.
.
The next day, the town of Coalfell saw a strange scene.
Multiple Ashers, Sonias, and Nidaweis went outside the city and cut down lumber before bringing it back, processing the trees, and then forming planks.
Meanwhile, others created earthen ovens for brickmaking and made bricks using Earth, Air, and Fire magic, making piles of them.
And the final group happily dug a huge hole in a recently bought plot.
It was as if an entire professional construction crew appeared out of thin air, making everyone think they were hallucinating.
Kate, who witnessed it, had her jaw slack, her face twitching.
She originally offered them a deal on a construction crew and materials, but they rejected her offer. They didn't want slaves either. She was confused at the time, but now, she understands their reasoning.
"These crazy bastards just want to grind skills, don't they?! Rather, by the Great Steam God above, how the hell did they clone themselves?! Isn't that super-high-tier magic only a few Demigods can use?!"
Thinking to that point, she turned to Nettie, who was still in a daze, and grabbed her hand.
"Let's go, Nettie! We need to talk to the freaks!" Kate said and walked to the rented house.
Bang* Bang* Bang*
"Open up, you crazy bastards!" Kate demanded.
Moments later, the door was opened by the perfect hunk of a man, Asher, giving her a charming smile. Somehow, it looked far more appealing than before.
"How can I help you, Miss Spencer?" Asher politely asked.
Kate blushed, but still spoke while pointing outside.
"What is all this?! Explain yourself!"
"Oh, we just cloned ourselves so we can grind skills and build our house at the same time." Asher openly admitted.
"HE ADMITTED IT!!!" Kate and Nettie retorted in their minds.
"What's the matter? Are we disturbing the peace? If we are, we can stop now..." Asher said with a hint of disappointment.
"No... it is just creepy." Kate warily said.
"In that case, then there shouldn't be any harm. By the way, would you like to come in and have some tea and cookies with us? They are freshly baked." Asher invited.
Minutes later, Kate and Nettie found themselves in the parlor, with the trio calmly drinking tea with chocolate chip cookies while playing a game of poker.
"You... you are even grinding gambling skills while all your clones are working..." Kate muttered in disbelief.
"I never thought I would see something like this..." Nettie muttered, still in shock.
"Actually, we are also just clones. Our real selves are meditating." Nidawei said as she placed her cards on the table. "Full House."
"I lost this round." Asher conceded.
"Four of a kind! I win!" Sonia grinned, revealing her cards.
Meanwhile, Kate and Nettie shared a look, knowing they underestimated the insanity of the situation.
"What kind of cheat-like weirdos entered this world?!"
And thus, the snowball grows ever bigger…